Duck race nets more than just funds

People flocked to watch 500 yellow rubber ducks bob their way down the swift flowing Waipawa River in a race to raise money for Ronald McDonald House over the weekend.

"The poor duck retrievers, they had a long way to go to get some of them back," organising committee member Kirsten Hansson said. "We try to keep our duck numbers up, unless they are well and truly lost we retrieve them."

Funds raised were still being tallied, though some money had already gone toward prizes: $250 for the first duck across the finish line, $100 for the second and $50 for the first, last and the duck which travelled furthest.

Now in it's 12th year, the Lions Club-organised event aims to bring the community together and give something back to a good cause.

"It's the Lions plus a few extras who have been roped in to help organise it. Everyone works together, it's a really important part of our community, especially as there are a lot of people going up to Starship Hospital who use Ronald McDonald House."

There was also music, a tug-o-war, raffle, demonstrations by the local fire brigade and food and craft stalls on offer.

Some of the children even entered a make-your-own-duck competition. "It was just a really neat fun day out."